1. Government, Laws and Administration 2025–2026
Karnataka saw a change of Chief Minister, new laws and big administrative changes in 2025 and 2026. This lesson lists the main facts. Positions of parties are given only as their own stated views.
Change of Chief Minister and Governor (2026)
- Siddaramaiah, Chief Minister since May 2023, resigned on 28 May 2026.
- D. K. Shivakumar, earlier Deputy Chief Minister, was sworn in as Chief Minister on 3 June 2026.
- Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot administered the oath at Lok Bhavan, Bengaluru (the renamed Raj Bhavan).
- G. Parameshwara, earlier Home Minister, was sworn in as a minister along with him and became Deputy Chief Minister.
- Sudha Yadav took oath as Governor of Karnataka on 16 October 2026, succeeding Thaawarchand Gehlot. The oath was administered by the Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court.
Budgets
- Budget 2025-26 was presented on 7 March 2025 by Siddaramaiah (his 16th), with a size of about Rs 4.09 lakh crore.
- Budget 2026-27 was presented on 6 March 2026 (his 17th, a state record), with a size of Rs 4,48,004 crore.
- The 2026-27 Budget proposed a ban on social media use by children under 16, and announced recruitment to 56,432 posts.
- In October 2025 the state approved a menstrual leave policy: one day of paid leave a month for women employees.
New districts, Bengaluru and other changes
- Ramanagara district was officially renamed Bengaluru South district in May 2025.
- The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) replaced the BBMP in 2025, and five city corporations were formed for Bengaluru.
- A state-wide Social and Educational Survey (often called the caste survey) was conducted from September 2025 by the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes.
- The Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill, 2025 was passed in the Belagavi winter session in December 2025. The Governor reserved it for the President's consideration.
- The Anna Bhagya scheme switched back from cash to rice (10 kg in total) in February 2025.
- Siddaramaiah resigned
- 28 May 2026
- D. K. Shivakumar sworn in
- 3 June 2026, at Lok Bhavan, Bengaluru
- Deputy CM (2026)
- G. Parameshwara
- Budget 2025-26
- 7 March 2025; about Rs 4.09 lakh crore
- Budget 2026-27
- 6 March 2026; Rs 4,48,004 crore
- Ramanagara
- Renamed Bengaluru South district (May 2025)
- Hate Speech Bill
- Passed December 2025; reserved for President
💡 For 'who and when' questions, make a timeline: Feb 2025 Anna Bhagya rice, May 2025 Bengaluru South, Dec 2025 Hate Speech Bill, Mar 2026 Budget, Jun 2026 new CM, Oct 2026 new Governor.
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